The Ocean at the End of the Lane

I've been eyeing this book since I heard that Neil Gaiman released his latest novel. Lo and behold, L gave me a copy as his Christmas present (the bookworm's eyes where sparkling upon opening the gift). I was the happiest person when I received it. Now it's a part of my collection adding more pizzazz to my shelf. *grins*

The Ocean at the End of the Lane is about a man returning to his hometown and reminiscing an experience he thought he almost forgot. Going to the farmhouse of the Hempstocks after attending a funeral, he visits the pond that his friend, Lettie, calls her ocean. It's just a pond really. But that body of water holds something beyond what anyone can imagine. As he lingers, memories of that place emerge from the depths of his consciousness. These recollections even surprise him. As the events reconstruct in his mind, he later realize that he owes his life to the Hempstocks; to Lettie especially-- his only childhood friend when he was still a little seven year old boy.

As expected, Neil delivered... delivered extremely well. I knew that I wouldn't be disappointed-- of course, he's Neil Gaiman. Come on... To cut to the chase, yes it's a book that should be read. It's a few pages but within is a story bountiful of stirring ordeals and bizarre characters. When I was done, I felt like I still wanted the tale to go on but I later came to terms with the book and accepted that it was meant to end there. I fell in love with Lettie's character, that's probably why I reacted that way. That's about it; I enjoyed every chapter, every page and I'm sure you will too. I repeat, it's Neil Gaiman... remember? *wink*

Enjoying a good book with a good mug of cappuccino

I'm a grateful bibliophile for having started the year right with an A-lister book. 

The Shadow of the Wind

It's been a while since my last post. Something came up that I had to stop writing for a while. Anyway, let me start 2014 with a review of my "2013 year-ender" book-- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Just like the previous read I had, this too is borrowed (again from my sister's shelf). Let me add that I'm blessed to have a book buddy for a sister, it's convenient and I get to read a number of her copies first before she does *wink*.

The Shadow of the Wind

After finding a book to take home from the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Daniel Sempere come across various riveting characters who will turn his life around. A man with grotesque features, who calls himself Lain Coubert, demands to acquire the book from him for the sole purpose of burning it to embers. Daniel find ways to hide the book from the perpetrator. Such confrontation raises his curiosity causing him to go around Barcelona to seek answers with the help of his new found friend and confidant, Fermin. They start piecing together a puzzle that will soon lead him to finding out what truly happened to the book's author, Julian Carax.

One thing's for sure, The Shadow of the Wind is a must-read. It's thrilling, suspenseful, funny, romantic, dramatic rolled into one pile of pages you hardly want to put down. Now, who wouldn't want to read that?

By the time I started reading, it felt like a movie (which is no surprise since Carlos is an experienced screenwriter as well). As I advance in the story it seemed that I, myself, was walking the streets of Barcelona. The details of Daniel's exploits and encounters allowed me to create a lush world in my imagination that I feel I'm a part of. The compelling and engrossing story makes me want to continue on to the ending but at the same time causes me to not hurry so as I'd remain embraced in the mysteries that are haunting the characters.

This tale is one of the few that I would want to see on-screen. I hope Carlos would team up with a good filmmaker to bring this novel to life. Of course, it would be ideal that he himself work on it as the screenwriter so that it would stay loyal to the magnificent story he created. My fingers are crossed for an equally fascinating motion picture.

I'm grateful to have ended the year with a worthy read. Now... off to my first book for 2014. How about you, which novel's pages will you immerse yourself into this year?

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

In a string of power blackouts occurring in my island as an aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), having a good book is a huge advantage (yup, they don't need charging). I ran out of reserve books since I’ve finished all of them already, good thing my sister had a couple from her collection that I could choose from. I readily grabbed Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers out of convenience considering its size being handy and light. A fan of fiction, I’m often entertained by strange, dreamy, extraordinary stories so I don’t read non-fiction much aside from articles online and in journals and magazines. My sister have been recommending Gladwell to me a lot of times, however, it’s only at this moment that I got a hold of one of his writings. I’m glad I picked it because as soon as I read the introduction, I got hooked. 

I cannot agree more with all the reviews printed on the book-- Gladwell is a master storyteller, no question about it. Albeit the book being non-fiction, there's no part that I find dragging or boring. I'm astounded by how he's putting everything in order, giving factual details at the same time enthralling the reader as one advances from chapter to chapter. Outliers is a story of success or rather facts of success. This path (success) everyone wants to take is not merely a platter served to one person or another; it’s actually a series of opportunities, hard work, cultural backgrounds, so on and so forth. Success is not what we actually think it is, there’s a lot more in between that we hardly notice unless we’re really meticulous or plainly observant.

This phenomenal book is abundant of thought provoking and eye-opening data that every time I turn a page I melt into reflection time and again. I come to realizations that I wish to apply in my own endeavors. It’s a literary experience that offers entertainment, information, and insights. 

Find out Bill Gates' journey to becoming America’s wealthiest person. Know the Beatles’ secret of becoming the world’s most exceptional rock band. Discover how an airline that had too many air crash changed their reputation from unsafe to one of today’s leading airlines.

Outliers is too read-worthy that I’m left giddy when I reached the last page itching to acquire another Gladwell book. I’m sure I’ll be a happy reader when I finish the rest of his masterpieces just like how I am today when the last letter entered my brain. 

I’m saving for his other best sellers— The Tipping Point, Blink, What the Dog Saw, and David and Goliath. “Absotively” recommending Outliers to everyone. You wouldn’t want to put it down. I swear.